As cliched as it sounds, it’s hard to believe we are already well into May and that we’ll soon be half-way through the year. It only seems like last month I was walking around the streets of Salinas and enjoying the vibe of Monterey in California. I do, however, seem to recall a similar feeling last year: keeping my head down until the sakura arrived in March and then slowly building up to the festival season that starts from mid May. It’s been a quiet few months here in Tokyo, but that’s usually when I like it most – free to go at our own pace and just enjoy our surroundings.
Despite the shorter days, January and February weren’t actually that cold. Wrapped up in a jacket and scarf, it was nice to walk around the suburbs at night… 
As well as explore little hidden shrines during the day. 
Walking up one street… 
… and down another: there was always something new to see. 
Rows of futons waiting to be dried… 
And a row of gyoza waiting to be eaten. Yum. 
Coming of Age Day is held on the second Monday of January. Many women (who have just turned 18 in the past year) celebrate this day by wearing furisode, a style of kimono with long sleeves. 
Kamata is an old-school area neighbouring Kawasaki. We like to go down there now and again as the vibe is slightly different: a bit more grungy than Setagaya, Meguro etc and with lots of interesting things to see. 
A political poster on the wall of a yakitori (skewered chicken) shop 
A colourful ‘snack’ bar, hidden down a random alleyway. These types of tiny bars only have about four or five seats and are where (mostly) salarymen can enjoy drinks, light snacks, and karaoke. They are usually owned/run by a woman (a “mama-san”) who chats away to the customers. 
Local vibes in Kamata 
On the weekend, our days are very simple. We like to get up early, go for a walk and then eat some lunch. I liked the plastic food display outside this restaurant. 
While at this fish restaurant, the fish was cooked over a charcoal grill – the burnt bits are actually really tasty. 
The trains are our friends, taking us all over the city. 
I feel very grateful that my favourite thing to do in Tokyo is just walk about random neighbourhoods with my wife, taking pictures, and wondering what we will find next. 
I liked the lace and and the fading pictures in this window… 
And the peeling poster here. 
Did you spot the soft toys hanging out on the balcony of this soba shop? 
Or the cat sign in the window indicating you can ship parcels from here? 
The sun shone on this driving range while reflecting the scene behind. 
And as for this place? Well, I’m really lost for words. 
Mrs IKIMASHO standing behind a yellow partition on the 7th floor of a disused apartment building in Daikanyama. Lots of the apartments had been turned into random art exhibits and we were free to explore them all. Basically if the door was unlocked, you could go in. 
A craving for burgers took us to KUA`AINA, my favourite burger chain. 
While way out in Higashi Kurume we ate Tai (sea bream) sashimi with nori (dried seaweed) and a sesame dressing. 
This hirekatsu (breaded pork tenderloin) from a place in Zoshiki also deserves a mention. Notice the huge bowl of tonjiru (savory miso soup with pork and vegetables). 
Mrs IKIMASHO was giddy as we went to see Sigur Ros 
We really enjoyed it. 
Their ethereal sounds set us up nicely for the start of spring, and the first blossoms to arrive. 
This dog couldn’t stop munching on the sakura petals. 
At this time of year, it seems like every street… 
Is picture perfect. 
During our spring break we took a day trip out to Kamakura, visiting Kencho-ji which is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. 
It was a beautiful sunny day. While walking around the temple grounds we heard the sound of monks chanting and so went to take a look… 
This is what we saw. 
Unbeknownst to us, we had chosen a significant day to visit the temple: Buddha’s birthday 
It was a very zen moment – watching the monks parading in unison back and forth, while the sakura fell outside. 
I had never seen shoes like this before. 
Pink against blue… 
I’m glad we got to experience the sakura in all their glory. 
After our temple visit we revisited a ramen shop we had first been to about six years ago. It specialises in tori paitan (creamy chicken soup). 
While back in Tokyo, a few weeks later, I had an excellent bowl featuring much thicker noodles and amazing homemade wontons. 
Mrs IKIMASHO’s parents recently moved to Ibaraki prefecture so we took a quick visit up to see them. Even though the sakura were fading in Tokyo, we were able to enjoy them again here. 
The view from the top of Mount Tsukuba… 
And from their apartment balcony. 
The colours of the rainbow also showing themselves in this serving of sushi. 
The weather is getting warmer… 
And summer will soon be here.
I hope you are all well, thanks for following.
Justin / IKIMASHO
IKIMASHO! 
Dear Mr. Ikimasho, Thank you for posting and commenting your pictures taken all over Tokyo and other prefectures. I enjoyed all f them as if I’d been taking a real trip, what makes me dream of a journey to Japan. Looking forward to your further posts. Many thanks
thoroughly enjoyed, gorgeous photos!